UPDATE: 'Hurricane': UK Will Take Full Force Of Storm

[Jazzy]

A storm which could reach hurricane strengths of 80mph or more will definitely hit Britain on Monday, weather experts have warned.

There were hopes the huge storm brewing over the Atlantic Ocean would miss the UK, and sweep instead through the English Channel.

But meteorologists are now certain it will strike the south west of England and could leave a trail of destruction as it gusts north-east across the country, causing structural damage, and bringing down trees and power lines.

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

Severe weather alerts are in place for England and Wales, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

There is a lesser yellow warning, meaning "be aware", for the rest of Wales and England up to the border with Scotland.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "The storm is coming through at the worst possible time; from around midnight to midday on Monday - which takes in the rush hour when people are trying to get to work.

"Winds gusting at 80mph are quite capable of bringing down trees and power lines and causing structural damage.

"Trees are still full in leaf at this time of year and the ground is quite damp so there is more chance they can be ripped from the ground, and branches ripped from trees.

"There's also the possibility of flooding with torrential downpours and leaves blocking drains. South Wales and southern England are most at risk.

Rest of article

Good grief! To all our UK members: Please stay safe!

 

[ShibuyaShadow]

Please, do stay safe out there. Living in the Midwest I know crazy weather (tornadoes, severe storms and such) but this sounds bad.

 

[Crusader]

The media are properly over hyping it. But I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Raven]

Had a look at the met office this morning and I shall be staying at mums tonight, they rain forecast is heavy rain for about 9 hours, The roads where my bedsit is are just little country roads and could flood. At least at mums I am on the bus route and can get to work tomorrow.

 

[The Dragon Master]

I'm starting to see the winds they're talking about. It's bloody windy out there, and it's supposed to rain tonight.

 

[Hannah]

For someone in the middle of the 'severe area', it's sunny and not really windy. I'm just hoping we don't get a power cut. Either way, the only time I will be leaving is if we do get power cuts to get my sister and her babies.

 

[Raven]

Winds started to pick up here about an hour ago but have since died down again. Not sure what time it is supposed to hit Norfolk bad.

 

[Jazzy]

Update: Storm: Southern Trains 'Cancels Services'

Southern Railway has said it is "highly unlikely" it will run services early on Monday morning because of the approaching storm.

An amber weather warning has been issued across large parts of England and Wales as a hurricane-strength storm builds over the Atlantic and moves towards Britain.

The train operator, which runs services in Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and London, said it had been advised that "trees and other debris may fall on and obstruct railway lines".

A statement said: "As a result of this, we will not be running any services tomorrow until the storm has passed our region, and Network Rail has been able to assess any damage from the storm and confirm that lines are clear of debris."

"It is therefore highly unlikely that we will run any services before at least 0900 tomorrow morning.

"And even when we are cleared to run, the first services will be very disjointed given the difficulties in getting trains and their crew to the right locations."

Some have the compared the storm's potential to the Great Storm of 1987, when 18 people died and thousands of homes were without power for several days.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

This time he has warned people to "batten down the hatches" and to delay their journey by two or three hours on Monday morning.

He told Sky News' Murnaghan show: "There is certainly a severe storm on the way - and we certainly do need to worry about it.

"If you draw a line from about Aberystwyth to the Humber - everywhere south of there looks like getting affected by strong winds, to the north of that the problem is going to be heavy rain and localised flooding.

"These strong winds aren't going to last all that long, but they are going to be unfortunately getting up around about rush hour time, so the message we're trying to convey at the moment is to delay your journey just by two or three hours in the morning, and then you should be safe."

His comments were echoed by senior fire chiefs who have urged people to stay indoors if possible, and to take extra care if venturing out.

Meteorologists have warned the fierce winds of up to 80mph and torrential rain could leave a trail of destruction, damaging buildings and bringing down trees and power lines.

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

Storm tracking video

 

[Raven]

That is what I thought then. Met office for Norwich area said heavy rain from 23:00 till 9 am
Starting to get really windy again here.

 

[Jazzy]

That is what I thought then. Met office for Norwich area said heavy rain from 23:00 till 9 am
Starting to get really windy again here.

I'm glad you're home and not alone in your bedsitter. I am wondering, however, about the tipi. Is it secured enough not to damage it?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Be safe out there UK peeps!

 

[Raven]

Pretty pathetic storm (I wouldn't even call it that to be honest) here in Norwich :/

 

[Raven]

That is what I thought then. Met office for Norwich area said heavy rain from 23:00 till 9 am
Starting to get really windy again here.

I'm glad you're home and not alone in your bedsitter. I am wondering, however, about the tipi. Is it secured enough not to damage it?

Yea it's fine, no damage this morning.

 

[The Dragon Master]

Wasn't that bad where I was :/

 

[Jazzy]

@Stormrider and Dragon: Glad you're both okay!